Asean Travel And Tours

  “In Search of the Dragon Pearl” brings modern performance art into a 100-year-old cave in Ha Long Bay. On the evening of June 4, the live spectacle In Search of the Dragon Pearl premiered inside the ancient Dragon Pearl Cave, located in Ha Long Bay, Quang Ninh. Marking the first time a cultural tourism event has ever been staged in a natural cave in Vietnam, the show forms part of Quang Ninh’s broader strategy to develop its nighttime economy. Dragon Pearl Cave is currently included in the city of Cam Pha’s 2025–2035 tourism development and heritage preservation plan for the Vung Duc scenic complex. In Search of the Dragon Pearl was written and directed by artist Le Thanh Phong. Music direction was led by People’s Artist Nguyen Huynh Tu, with artistic consultants including Prof. Dr. Nguyen The Ky (Vice Chairman of the Central Theoretical Council), People’s Artists Hoang Quynh Mai and Tong Toan Thang, choreographer Le Viet, and circus director Meritorious Artist Ngo Le Thang. The ...

Vietnam is a paradise for hikers. A world away from the chaos of the major cities, there is a variety of trails, mountains and endless nature waiting to be explored. Whether it is summiting Fansipan mountain, exploring rice terraces and surrounding villages or delving into some of the world's biggest caves in Phong Nha, there is a staggering range of outdoor adventures available. One area of natural beauty that is often overlooked in Vietnam is the south. It may not possess the impressive karst limestone landscape synonymous with the mountainous north or the picturesque evergreen trees of central Vietnam, but there are several hiking gems hidden within the relatively flat region around Ho Chi Minh City. Black Virgin Mountain (Ba Den) Let's start with the highest peak in southern Vietnam, Ba Den or Black Virgin Mountain in Tay Ninh Province. Ba Den Mountain next to rice fields in Tay Ninh Province.  The extinct volcano's summit may only be 996 m above sea level, yet it prese...

Vietnam celebrated a double win on international food magazine TasteAtlas's list of Asia's top vegan dishes, with vegan pho landing at 34 and tomato tofu (dau hu sot ca) at 92. At number 34, vegan pho offers a plant-based take on Vietnam's noodle soup. Its broth draws its depth from a base of mushrooms, ginger, onions, soy sauce, and spices like cloves and cinnamon. Toppings include bean sprouts, tofu, mushrooms, and chili peppers, with options for other vegetables or even fruit. Coriander often garnishes the bowl, but fish sauce, sometimes served alongside, is not vegan. Ranked at number 92, dau hu sot ca (tofu in tomato-pepper sauce) features tofu cubes in a tomato-pepper sauce, made with garlic, shallots, chili, and tomatoes. The tofu is fried, then coated in the sauce, often garnished with coriander. The "100 Best Vegan Dishes in Asia" list is compiled from 12,294 ratings, with 5,717 recognized as legitimate. Topping the list was Lebanon's hummus, a spread...

Thailand's Rayong, Indonesia's Kalegowa, Vietnam's Nha Trang, the Philippines' Boracay Island, and Malaysia's Kuala Lumpur are among nine top destinations in Asia for "slow travel," according to travel platform Agoda. Rayong, a coastal city on the eastern shore of the Gulf of Thailand, ranked first. "Rayong's unhurried pace and natural beauty make it an ideal destination for travelers looking to recharge and reconnect with nature," Agoda said. Visitors can enjoy fresh seafood straight from local fishing boats, explore nearby islands such as Koh Samet, or simply relax under the shade of palm trees. Kalegowa, known for its lush rice fields, traditional Bugis architecture, and warm hospitality, ranked second. Agoda recommends taking time to explore local markets, savor authentic Indonesian cuisine, or embark on leisurely treks along scenic trails. Vietnam's central coastal city of Nha Trang placed fifth. "Nha Trang's laid-back vibe ...

Actress Seo Ye Ji recently visited the central city of Da Nang and the nearby ancient town of Hoi An, immersing herself in local culture and enjoying Vietnamese beer like a local. According to Mhnse news, Seo arrived at Da Nang International Airport on May 7. The following day, she shared photos on Instagram showcasing her vacation in central Vietnam. She stayed at a five-star resort overlooking Da Nang Beach. The resort, which features 196 luxury rooms and 70 villas with two to four bedrooms, each with private pools, wears a design blending traditional Vietnamese elements with French architecture. This venue has previously hosted many celebrities, royalty, politicians, movie stars, and international business leaders, including actor Song Seung Heon, model and influencer Irene Kim, Super Junior singer Shindong, and actor Lee Sun Kyun. During her visit to Hoi An, Seo strolled through streets illuminated by colorful lanterns and posed for photos in front of the ancient yellow houses. She...

Hanoi has been ranked ninth among the world's 20 greatest cities for art and culture for 2025 by the U.K.-based Time Out magazine, making it the highest-ranked destination in Asia. The Vietnamese capital ranked ninth among the world's top cultural destinations, with Paris, Florence, and Edinburgh taking the top three spots. At the same time, Hanoi emerged as Asia's leading representative, placed ahead of other major regional cities such as Beijing (11th), Jakarta (13th), and Delhi (14th). According to Time Out, Hanoi is the cheapest city for art and culture on the list, with 82% of locals ranking it highly for affordability. "Take its weekend walking streets – by far the most recommended of all the city's cultural offerings in our survey – where the roads of the Old Quarter and around Hoan Kiem Lake are cleared of traffic to make room for street performances, traditional dance and live music," it recommended. "Several mentions also went to the grand, neoc...

Once listed among Vietnam's worst dishes, pork offal porridge chao long has made a comeback and ranked 6th in Asia's best porridge dishes, according to international food magazine TasteAtlas. The ranking also included other Vietnamese porridge varieties, such as beef porridge (ranked 18th), duck porridge (22nd), and chicken porridge (25th). Chao long is made with white rice, simmered in a broth prepared from pork bones and mixed with a variety of pork offal such as liver, intestines, and heart. The dish is often served along with fried dough sticks, dipping sauce, pepper, and chili powder. Fragrant herbs are a common addition to a bowl of chao long. Notably, chao long also ranks 19th in TasteAtlas global list of 127 porridge dishes. The recognition marks a turnaround. In March 2024, the same dish was included in the platform's list of Vietnam's worst-rated foods. Other Vietnamese porridges featured in the ranking are chao vit, made with duck meat, ginger, and herbs; cha...